Adjustable bed device



Jan. 17, 1961 M. sHANKMAN ADJUSTABLE BED DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed'June 4, 1958 ...Ndumn INVENTOR.

MAM-m SHANKMAN s BY l C Q6 #rml/Var Jan. 17, 1961 M. SHANKMAN 2,968,050

ADJUSTABLE BED DEVICE Filed June 4, 1958 5V Sheets-Sheet 2 Fie. 3.

INVENTOR. MmmN SHANKMAN M. @GQ /TronNrY Jan. 17, 1961 M. sHANKMANADJUSTABLE BED DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 4, 1958 V /A l l 36 faINVENTOR. MARTm SHANKMAN,

" priv/Mfr United States Patent C ADJUSTABLE BED DEVICE Martin Shankman,4735 E. th Ave., Hialeah, Fla. FlledfJune 4, 1958, Ser. No. 739,888 2Claims. (Cl. 5-69) This invention relates to a bed or couch device thatsupports a mattress and with the device being formed to includetransversely connected frames for the support of the mattress and withthe frames. being adjustably connected in a manner whereby certain ofthel frames may beelevated and inclined to form a generally bodyconforming or contour rest.

The device embodies a main frame in which is disposed supplemental framesections, with one frame member being elevated to an inclined positionto form la back rest, a mixed intermediate section that is nonadjustableyand a pair offrame sections constituting the leg rests being elevatedto incline one section and with a terminal section being maintained in ahorizontal position that is parallel to the supporting structure for thebed throughout its movement to and from a contour forming position`Medical authorities `appreciate the importance of supporting the legsofthe user in a contour bed or contour chair so that the thighs of thelegs will be on an incline, while the calf of the legs will be supportedin a horizontal manner, functioning to create a proper circulation ofthe blood and otherwise greatly increasing the comfort and physicalrejuvenation of theuser. Contour devicesheretofore employed have beenadjustable to support the back of the user at an incline and to dispose.the legs over a usually V-shaped frame support whereby the legs bend atthe knees, disposing the lower portions ofthe legs at a downward inclinewith respect tothe thighs, creating a condition at the joints of theknees ythat retards --the proper circulation of blood. Inthe device ofthis invention, the structure is suchthat the body of the `user issupported in anatu'ral position that enhances the proper circulation ofthe blood and creates `a general bodily relaxation, relieving muscularaches and vpains and to improve thegeneral welfare of the-user.

The device of the presentfinvention contemplates the use of the wellknown foam rubber mattress, such being most desirable for-a devicey ofthis type, since the mattress will readily conform to the angularity ofthe bed device as adjusted to contour form, while a conventional innerspring mattress would of necessity require that it be hinged at thepoints of bending, since mattresses of this type will not readily bendupon a short radius.

The device-contemplates a rnovel frame arrangement for the support ofafoam rubber mattress and with the back restand -the leg rests beingmanually lifted or ad.- justed to their respective positions and latchedand braced a gainstaccidental movemen-t to a llat position.

v The invention also contemplates the use of mechanical means forshifting the. leg supporting members to a contour form while the user isoccupying the bed, the back rest being -at all times manuallyadjustable.

Novelfeatures of construction and operation of ,the

device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the followingdescriptiomreference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein hasbeen illustrated vthe preferred forms of the device and wherein likecharacters Patented Jan. 17, 1961 ICC 2 Y of reference are employed todenote like parts throughout the several ligures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of ya bed constructed in accordance with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line2-2 of Figure l, parts being omitted for sake of clearness,

iFigure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the mechanismas shifted to a contour forming position,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

vFigure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating -a modifiedform of the device,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 6 6 ofFigure 5,

Figure 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7--7 of vFigure 6illustrating a latch mechanism,

`Figure 8 is a view taken substantially on line 8 8 of Figure 6 and,

Figure 9 is an enlarged yfragmentary side elevation, parts being omittedand illustrating a release means for the latch.

Referring speciiically to the drawings, thenumeral 5 designates a mainsupporting frame, formed of wood or other desirable material and havinglegs 6, whereby to space the frame ata desired elevation above the oor.The frame S is o-f generally rectangular form and carries a pair oftransverse members 7, forming the connecting means for the legs 6.

lDisposed within the frame 5, to rest upon the cross members 7 is ametallic frame 8, formed` of angled iron and having dimensions wherebyit will have adequate clearance to engage within the frame 5, to restupon the members 7. Mounted with respect to the frame V8 is asupplemental metallic frame embodying sections 9, 10, 11 and 12. Thesections 9-12 inclusive are formed of angled iron and with the sections9 and' 12 beinglU- shaped to have closed end portions 9' and 12. 'Ihesection 10 is fixedly connected to the vertical flange of the frame 8,by rivets or the like fastening devices 13 and whereby the section isheld against movement with respect to the frame 8 and also heldparallelto the' frame 8. Each of the frame sections 9-12 inclusive areinterlaced with conventional springs 14, and with the springs 14yextending for the full length of the device. The frame section 10 andits associated springs -14 constitutes a seat portion. The frame section9 is hingedly connected to the frame section 10 at 15, and whereby theframe section 9 may swing in a vertical direction to constitute a backrest. The frame section 9 is held in adjusted position in its back restforming position by a rod 16, vcarried by bars 17 and with the bars 17being pivotally connected to the side members of the frame section 9 toswing toward and from the frame section 9 and to constitute a brace forholding the section 9 in a selected angularity. The rod 16 is adjustablyengaged within notches 18, carried by brackets 19, fixed upon thehorizontal. ange 8 of the frame 8. The framesection 11 is pivotallyconnected at 20 to the fname section 10 whereby the frame section 11 andits connected spring portion1`4- to the side rails of the frame section12, as at 23 andA pivotally connected to a bracket 24 carried by theframe 8. The bars 22 constitute the means for simultaneously` 4 movingthe frame sections 11 and 12 upwardly whereby todispose'the framesections y11 at a desired angle and with the frame section 12 beingdisposed at a horizontal and parallel relation with respect to the frame8. Brace members 25, carrying a cross rod 26, are pivotally connected at27 to the bars 22. The rod 26 has selected engagement within notches27', formed in bracket plates 28, rigidly connected with the lower ange8' of the frame 8. The several frame sections 9-12 inclusive are coveredby preferably foam rubber pad or mattress, shown in dotted lines at 29.The mattress 29 readily conforms to angularity of the frame sections 9and 11.

In this form of the invention, when the device is to bc used as a bed,the structure is fully collapsed as shown in Figure 2, with the bars 17and brace 25 released from their engagement with the brackets 19 and 28,permitting the frame sections 9, 11 and 12 to move downwardly so thatthey are disposed in parallel relation to the frame 3 and, in suchposition they are parallel with respect to the frame and at a levelbelow the upper edge of the frame 5. Thus, the mattress 29 lies inwardlyof the frame 5 and is fully supported by the frame sections 9-12inclusive. Now, when the device is to be adjusted to form a contoursupport for the body of the user, the operator first lifts the framesection 9, and swings the bars 17 and the connecting rod 16 downwardlyto engage a selected notch in the oppositely disposed brackets 19, thusholding the frame section 9 and its overlying mattress at an angle withrespect to the horizontal. The frame section 10 is of course ixedly heldand cannot shift under the influence of the movement of the movableframe sections 9, 11 and 12. With the back rest in adjusted position,the operator then lifts upon the cross member 12' of the frame section12, such action moving the frame section 11 and the bars 22 upwardlysimultaneously, maintaining the frame section 12 in a horizontalposition. The brace members 25 and the rod 26 are then swung downwardlyto engage a selected notch 27 in the oppositely disposed brackets 28,thus securely supporting the frame sections 11 and 12 in the legsupporting position and throughout the movement of these frame sections11 and 12, the mattIess 29 automatically conforms thereto. In theadjusted position of Figure 3, there has been formed a seat section A, aback rest B, an incline leg rest C and with the leg rest also includingthe horizontal portion D that is horizontally arranged and serves as aproper support for the calf portions of the legs of the user, creating averydesirable stimulating contour arrangement for sup porting the. bodyof the user to stimulate the ow of blood and to generally cause arelaxation of the body and leg muscles. The retraction of the device isobviously a reverse movement with respect to the bars 17 and bracemembers 25, and, when the rods 16 and 26 are released from theirrespective brackets, the frame sections 9, 11 and. 12 will movedownwardly under the combined weight of the frame members and themattress 29 until they assume the original horizontal position.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5-7 inclusive, therehas been provided the same frame 5, legs 6, cross member 7, frame 8,frame sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 that are supported upon the frame 8.Since this structure is substantially the same as the tirst form of theinvention, the head portion has not been illustrated, since themodification resides primarily in the adjustable means for the foot orleg section. The frame section 12 is also elevated and lowered throughthe medium of the bars 22 under the influence of the brace members 25carrying the' cross rod 26. This form of the invention utilizesmechanical means for the elevation of the frame sections 11 and 12,while the frame sections 11 and 12 and associated elements, in the rstform of the invention were manually lifted to assume the particularelevation and angularity. In this modified form of the device, it iscontemplated that the frame sections 11 and 12 shall be mechanicallyelevated by the user of the device while in a reclining position. Forthis purpose, there has been provided a lever 30, disposed upon a rockshaft 31 that is journaled at opposite sides of the frame 8 in bearings32. The lever 30 is preferably disposed outwardly of the side members ofthe frame 5 whereby it may be in easy reach for an individual lying uponthe device. The rock shaft 31, at opposite inner' sides of the frame 8is provided with crank arms 33, having pins 34 at their upper ends andwith the pins operating in slots 35 formed in each of the side rails ofthe frame section 11. Movement of the lever 30, will cause the cranks 33to swing in an arc and, when the cranks are actuated, they will elevatethe frame section 11, together with the section 12, movement of thelever 30 in an opposite direction causes the sections 11 and 12 to shiftdownwardly to their normal parallel relation to the frame 8 and in suchposition, forming a conventional bed.

Means are provided to latch the sections 11 and 12 in an upper adjustedposition, comprising angle irons 36, that are welded to the lower ilange8 of the frame 8. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the angle iron 36 hasits vertical flange slotted, as shown at 37. Pivotally connected to theouter flange of the angle iron 36 as at 38 is a rack bar 39. The rackbar is shiftable in a vertical plane, in a manner to be presentlydescribed and has its lower edge provided with a plurality of downwardlyopening teeth 40. The teeth 40 normally substantially span the width ofthe slot 37. Slidable in the slots 37 of the angle irons 36 at oppositesides of the frame 8 are the terminal portions of the rod 26. 1t will beapparent, that when the cranks 33 arc actuated to swing the framesections 11 and 12 upwardly, it will cause thc rod 26, through themedium of the bars 22 and the brace member 2S, to progressively engageand slide beneath the teeth 40, causing the bar 39 to rise and fall asthe rod 26 passes beneath the teeth and the frame sections 11 and 12will be held positively in the adjusted position by the rod 26 engagingthe teeth at the opposite sides of the frame. In the first form of theinvention, the brace members 25 also carry the cross rod 26 and in thatform of the invention, the brace members 25 and the rod were bodilylifted from the racks 27.

Means are now provided to cause an automatic release with respect to therod 26 and the teeth 40, without thc necessity of the individual uponthe bed being required to get up and manually shift the device. Toprovide for automatic means as a release with the rod 26, there has beenprovided a flat plate 41, carrying a pin 42, having -a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of the rod 26. The pin 42 projectsthrough the slot 37 and the plate overlies the bar 39, thus disposingthe pin 42 to traverse the teeth 40 with the rod 26. The plate 41 isalso provided with a relatively short slot 43, through which passes theends of the rod 26. The pin 42, inwardly of the vertical ange of the4angle iron 36, is provided with an enlarged head 44 whereby to preventdisplacement of the pin and the plate. It will be apparent, that sincethe -rod 26 passes through the slot 43, that the plate 41 and the rod 26are relatively movable, while the plate 41, the rod 26 and the pin 42are movable in a horizontal plane so as to engage the pin 42 and the rod26 in the teeth 40. When the sections 11 and 12 are elevated under theiniiuence of the cranks 33, the bars 22 cause the braces 25 to move therod 26 rearwardly, such movement causing the rod 26 to initially shiftto one end of the slot 43, disposing the rod 26 and the pin 42 in adelnite spaced relation, corresponding to the spacing of the teeth 40thus, as the rod 26 and the plate 41 are moved rearwardly under theinfluence of the brace members 25, the rod 26 and the pin 42 havealternate engagement into the teeth 40, sliding from one pair of teethto another pair until the sections have been elevated the desiredheight, and it will be apparent, as the brace members move the rod 26and the pin 42 rearwardly, the bar 39 rises and falls as the rod and thepins 42 override the teeth thus, upon stopping the further movement ofthe cranks 33, the pin's 42 and the rod 26 will immediately lock into apair of teeth at each side of the frame, posi- -tively ho-lding the bars22 in their parallel angle relation with respect to the section 11 underthe influence of the brace members 25. Movement of the mechanism toretract the sections 11 and 12 is accomplished, by the operator swingingthe lever 30 in a direction to elevate the sections, thus moving theplates 41, the bar 26 and the pins 42 an additional distance rearwardly,until they simultaneously rest upon the ilat ends of a pair of adjacen-tteeth, thus holding the bar 39 elevated. Now, the lever 3i) is shiftedin a direction to cause the sections 11 and 12 to be lowered, suchaction causing the brace members 25 to initially move the rod 26forwardly and, in such initial movement, the rod 26 has moved to theopposite end of the slot 43 in the plates 41. In this position, the rod26 and the pins 42 are spaced apart a distance greater than the spacingof the teeth 40, such being illustrated in Figure 9. Now, a continuedmovement of the lever 30, causes the cranks 33 to swing the sections 11and 12 progressively downwardly and the movement of the bars 22 and thebrace members 25, continuously hold the rod 26 at the forward ends ofthe slots 43, preventing the rack bar 39 from engaging either the pins42 or the rod 26 since the spacing of these members always maintainseither the pins 42 or the rod 26 upon the tops of the teeth 40 and aslong as the rod 26 is being shifted forwardly, the spacing of the rodand the pins 42 will prevent any engagement within the teeth 40, thus,permitting the complete lowering of the sections 11 and 12.

The operation is believed to be clearly apparent in the foregoingparagraph. It is apparent, that the latch mechanism embodying the rackbars 39, the fixed angle iron 36 and with the pins 42 and the rod 26traversing the slot 37 to progressively engage the teeth 40 for alatching movement, causing the bar 39 to rise and fall as the teeth aresuccessively engaged and to permit the same mechanism to beautomatically released and shifted along the slot 37 in a manner thatprevents the engagement of the pins 42 and the rod 26 within the teethin a direction to lower the frame.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of contourforming bed has been provided. The structure is simple, quickly andeasily adjusted to the contour position, is cheap to manufacture, isstrong, durable and most effective as a means to establish a relaxingposition for the occupant of the device and, as before pointed out, thedevice is extremely beneficial to individuals having muscular or nervousconditions, and is extremely beneficial in the relief of circulatorydifficulties, and particularly the legs of the individual. The structurereadily adapts itself to various types of supporting frames and, whiledisposed Within a particular supporting frame having legs 6, it will beapparent that the device could be quickly and easily assembled withrespect to other frames, such as that employed in single types of bedsor the like and also performs the functions of well known and verycomplicated types of hospital beds.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fallwithin the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scopeof the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A contour forming bed device including a main frame and asupplemental frame, a plurality of frame sections that are pivotallyconnected together transversely and with the several sections in end toend relation constituting a full length support for a flexible mattress,one of said sections being ya head-end section and being swingable in avertical plane t0 constitute an inclined back rest, prop means forsupporting the back rest in a desired degree of angularity, the saidprop means being adjustably connected with respect to the supplementalframe, a second frame section adjacent to the head-end section and beingfixedly connected with the supplemental frame, a third frame sectionconnected to the second section and being swingable in a vertical plane,a foot-end frame section being pivotally connected to the third framesection to be shiftable in a vertical plane and with the foot-end framesection being at all times parallel with the supplemental frame, barsconnected with the supplemental frame and with the outer end portion ofthe foot-end frame section and that constitutes the means for swingingthe foot-end frame section and the third frame section in a verticalplane, and to maintain the foot-end frame section horizontallythroughout its movement, brace arms connected with the bars and with thebrace arms at their free ends being connected by a cross rod, the saidcross rod adapted to engage in toothed rack bars carried by thesupplemental frame and whereby to maintain the bars and the framesections in a predetermined degree of adjustment, the said foot-end andthird frame sections constituting leg rests, the said rack bars beingpivotally connected with respect to the supplemental frame, the rackbars having downwardly directed inclined teeth, a slide device adaptedto traverse the rack bar and with the cross rod being carried by theslide device, the terminal ends of the rod extending beyond the slidedevice to be disposed in a path to engage the teeth of the rack bars andmeans carried by the slide that also projects beyond the slide to engagethe teeth of the rack bar, the spacing of the projecting ends of the rodand the said means being such as to provide for relative movementbetween the ends of the rod and parts of said means to actuate the barin a vertical plane for a release movement of the brace arms when thethird frame section is manually lifted upwardly and whereby toprogressively release the brace arms and their associated rod and slidedevice to raise -or lower the third frame section.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the said means carried bythe slides comprises a pin that is parallel with the extended ends ofthe rod, the spacing of the pins with respect to the extended ends ofthe rod being such that when the extended ends of the rod are inunderlying relation to the tops of the teeth, the pins will be disposedin registry with an opening of the teeth and whereby to progressivelyengage the extended ends of the rod Within a selected tooth of the rackbars and guide means carried by the supplemental frame for causing theextended ends of the rod and the pins to traverse the rack bars in ahorizontal path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS137,596 Clinton et al. Apr. 8, 1873 1,858,657 Bell May 17, 19322,026,153 Wright et al Dec. 31, 1935 2,303,433 Caldwell et al. Dec. 1,1942 2,663,356 Lorenz Dec. 22, 1953 2,696,872 Kurland et al. Dec. 14,1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 538,124 Canada Mar. 12, 1957

